GOI Launches PM-PRANAM & MDA Initiatives to Promote Sustainable Agriculture & Organic Fertilizers

The Government of India (GoI) is taking significant steps towards promoting sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices by reducing the use of chemical fertilizers. In a recent development, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), in its meeting held on June 28, 2023, approved two groundbreaking initiatives - the "PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother-Earth (PM-PRANAM)" and the "Market Development Assistance (MDA)".

The primary objective of the PM-PRANAM initiative is to support and amplify the efforts of States and Union Territories (UTs) in conserving the health of Mother Earth. The initiative emphasizes the adoption of sustainable and balanced fertilizer usage, the promotion of organic farming, and the implementation of resource conservation technologies.

To incentivize these efforts, the scheme introduces a novel mechanism where 50% of the fertilizer subsidy saved by a State/UT in a particular financial year, owing to the reduction in consumption of chemical fertilizers such as Urea, DAP, NPK, and MOP, compared to the average consumption of the previous three years, will be granted to that State/UT. This financial grant will empower states to continue their sustainable agricultural practices while simultaneously alleviating the financial burden.

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Additionally, another significant move by the GoI is the approval of the Market Development Assistance (MDA) at the rate of Rs. 1500 per metric ton (MT) for the promotion of organic fertilizers. This initiative is aligned with the GOBARdhan initiative, focusing on the utilization of organic manure produced through various biogas and cow dung management programs.

The MDA will cover different schemes and programs from stakeholder Ministries and Departments, including the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) scheme by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), the 'Waste to Energy' program by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), and the Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural) by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS). The total budget allocation for this initiative is Rs. 1451.84 Crore for the fiscal years 2023-24 to 2025-26, with a dedicated corpus of Rs. 360 crore for research gap funding and related activities.

Shri Bhagwanth Khuba, the Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, highlighted these developments in a written reply in the Lok Sabha. He emphasized the government's commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture and reducing the environmental impact of conventional farming practices. These initiatives are expected to not only conserve soil health and fertility but also contribute to the overall environmental well-being of the nation.

These forward-thinking initiatives are likely to usher in a new era of agricultural practices that prioritize environmental sustainability and contribute to the larger goal of conserving the planet's precious resources. As India takes these bold steps, it paves the way for other nations to rethink their agricultural strategies, ensuring a greener and healthier future for all.

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